Vehicle-top



P. O. WITTE.

VEHICLE TOP.

APPLICATION man. JULY 17,1919.

1353:1085. Patented Mar. 30,1920.

am W01,

WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL 0. w nner mn-nnnnoms ivimnnsorn.

v'nnicnn 'ror.

ToaZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, -PAUL O. dvrr'rn, a

citizen of the United States, residingat small space and obviate projecting partsv Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicle- Tops', of whiohthe following is a specification. I v i The invention relates to folding vehicle tops which are adapted to be inanipu lated by one person both when folding and unfolding the top.

The invention provides a top particularly designed for". automobiles and which when: extended is'firmly braced in every direction andcapable of withstanding the strain incident to" shock and vibration and which when folded will-occupy a relatively which would tend to present an-unsig'htl y appearance.

The drawing illustrates "a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it is to be understood that in adapting'thesame to meet different conditions,-various changes 7 in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the nature of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a side view of a vehicle top embodying the invention showing the same extended, the dotted lines indicating the cover; and

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the frame comprising the top showing the same in folded position.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in both views of the drawing.

The top comprises a cover which is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1 and a supporting frame, the latter comprising a back how 1, an intermediate bow 2, a folding front bow comprising sections 3 and 4, extensible side braces embodying members and 6 and a stretcher bow 7 which is pivotally connected to the forward members of the extensible side braces. R

The bows 1 and 2 are of ordinary construction and are pivoted at their lower ends to the body 8 of the vehicle at 9. Studs 10 and 11 project forwardly from the side members of the intermediate bow 2. The studs 10 are somewhat longer than the studs 11 to admit of the side extensible braces studs 11. bowa-re pivotally connected at12-and the Specification of Letters Patent. Patented lvla l. 1920.

Application filed my 17, 1919. Serial 'No. 311,411.

coming between the sections 3 and 4 of the front view" when the supporting frame is asindicated-most clearly inFig. 1 and sections 4 are pivotally connected to the The side members of the' front pivoted ends are upwar'dly deflected, as ShOWII'IIIOSt clearly in Fig.1, whereby provisionis'had for the extensible sidebmces to come between the sections 3 and4 when the top is folded, as .i-ndicatedin Fig.2;

The extensible side bracesmay be of any construction and are pivotally connected 4 to 13 projecting upwardly from the rear ends of thesection The-members 5 =and 6 may :be 'slidingly connected in any wayand in the event of the section6 being tubular, the sections 5 may telescope therewith. These extensible braces materially assist instiifening and strengthening "the supporting frame-of the top andprovide for the two-fold move ment of the section 3 when folding or unfolding the top. It should be remembered "that the section 3 pivots with reference to the section 4 and at the same time swings with the section 4 toward and away from the intermediate bow 2, whereby the for ward portion of the top may fold into compact form, as indicated in Fig. 2.

The stretcher bow 7 constitutes a tie for connecting the extensible side braces and preventin spreading or inward displacement of t e sections 3 and 4 intermediate of their ends. The stretcher bow 7 also forms a support for the cover which rests thereon, as indicated in Fig. 1. The stretcher bow 7 is pivotally connected to the forward members 5 of the extensible side braces. Studs 14 provided on the members 5 have the ends of the bow 7 pivoted thereto. Stops 15 on the members 5 Support the stretcher bow 7 in operative position, as indicated in Fig. 1.

The cover is indicated bythe dotted lines 16 in Fig. 1 and is attached at its rear end to the rear of the body 8 and extends over the supporting frame and is adapted to be attached thereto in any manner.' When the top is extended it is held in operative position by means of straps 17 in a manner well understood. When it is required to fold the top the straps 1? are disconnected at their lower ends from the body 8 and the front bow is folded upon-itself and'against the intermediate bow 2, after which the several bows are folded upon the bodyso as to occupy a position substantially as indicated in Fig. 2.

The foregoing description and the drawing have reference to what may be considered the preferred, or approved form of my invention. It, isto be understood that I may make such changes in construction and arrangement and combination of parts, materials, dimensions, et cetera, as 'may prove expedient andfall within the scope of the appended claims. 7

Having thus fully described m invention, what I claim as new and esire to secure by Letters Patent is I y l. A folding vehicle top, comprising a supporting frame work embodyin front, intermediate and back bows, the interme-' diate and back bows being pivoted at their lower ends to each other and to the body of the vehicle and. the front bow being adapted to occupy a horizontal position whenthe top is extended, and having ivotal connection with the intermediate Bow and comprising front and rear sections whichare pivotally connected, studs 'extending upwardly from the front section of the front bow, other studs extending horizontally from the upper part of the intermediatebow, telescoping sides, braces disposed above the front bow and having their members pivoted to the respective studs, a-stretcher bow pivotally connected at its ends to the forward members of the side braces and stops on the forward members of the braces normally supporting the stretcher bow in operative position. i

2. A folding vehicle top, comprising a supporting frame embodying front, intermediate and back hows, the intermediate and back bow being pivotally connected .to each other and to'the body of the vehicle and the front bow being adapted to occupy a horizontal position when the top is extended and pivotally connected to the intermediate bow and comprising ,sections which are pivotally; connected, the pivotal ends being upwardly deflected, extensible side braces disposed above the front bow and extending over the joint thereof and V pivotally connected to the-intermediate bow and the forward section ofthe front bow,

a stretcher bow pivotally connected to the front members of the extensible side braces and stopson said front members to support I the stretcher, bow in operative position, the V stretcher bow and the extensible side braces beingadapted to occupy apposition between In testimony whereof I aflix mysignature in presence of; two witnesses; v

V j PAUL O. WITTE.

Witnesses: r

CLARENCE C. BIDMQUEST, HILDA A. Gimnn'rsoiv. 

